Accused killer Keith Luke back at county jail after suicide attempt

Accused killer Keith Luke is released from state hospital, returns to county jail after suicide attempt.

By Maureen Boyle

The Enterprise, Brockton, MA

By Maureen Boyle

Posted Apr. 27, 2010 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 27, 2010 at 8:04 PM

By Maureen Boyle

Posted Apr. 27, 2010 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 27, 2010 at 8:04 PM

PLYMOUTH

» Social News

Accused killer Keith Luke who tore his neck open in an apparent suicide attempt earlier this month was back at the county jail Monday after spending three weeks at Bridgewater State Hospital.

Luke, 24, was originally taken to the state hospital April 2 under heavy guard from a Boston hospital after a judge ordered him to undergo a mental evaluation following the apparent suicide attempt.

John Birtwell, spokesman for Sheriff Joseph McDonald, said Luke was brought back to the Plymouth County jail Monday without incident where he remains under close watch.

Luke had been rushed to the hospital April 1 after he was found, bleeding in his cell with his neck apparently clawed open.

Luke was – and still is in – a special unit where he is monitored by a camera around the clock.

Luke was arrested Jan. 21, 2009, and charged with murder, rape, attempted murder and other charges.

Luke is accused of killing two people and wounding a third before leading police on a chasse through the city.

Prosecutors told a judge – and detailed in paperwork filed in court say – that the suspect told Brockton police the killings were part of a plan to kill “non-whites” and he had planned to open fire on a Bingo game at a local synagogue later that night.